Letters from our Readers: Rescue shows Chile has learned from us

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When I think of Chile, I remember, about 40 years ago, seven or eight Chilean students came to study economics at the University of Chicago. When they graduated, they returned to Chile and revolutionized the Chilean economy by closely copying capitalism as practiced in the United States. Chile is now almost like a sibling of the USA.

Not only do they supply us with fresh fruits and vegetables in the winter season, it appears like Chile also adopted good old American ingenuity to rescue 33 miners trapped half a mile underground.

When I see the two former presidents of the USA repeatedly requesting donations for Haiti because of its earthquake, I wonder why there was never such a request for Chile, which was hit by a much larger earthquake a few weeks later. Is it because, like the USA, they depend on themselves?

I think we should be very proud of our good student, Chile.

John “Scotty” Thomas, San Francisco

Reject the insiders

I am amazed and shocked you are endorsing two candidates in District 8 who support No on Proposition B. Really? These two status quo candidates are not only coming from the bowels of City Hall that got us in the $522 million mess we are in — they are also advocating for more taxes? What is going on with you?

The one candidate who actually knocked on my door and is supporting Prop. B is Bill Hemenger. So he has no experience working for The City, but we need that now. He has an insanely strong business background and is voting “no” on all the tax measures. We need him in office, not more of the same. Shame on you all for losing sight of us more fiscally minded voters!

David Talton, San Francisco

Wiener part of SF machine

Your endorsement of Scott Wiener for District 8 supervisor ignores the fact that he is as much a part of San Francisco’s dysfunctional, counterproductive political machine as Chris Daly or Aaron Peskin. Wiener may garb himself in the robe of a practical, no-nonsense community organizer, but his opposition to Proposition B — the pension reform measure — shows he is merely another politician unlikely to advance the cause of average San Franciscans against the entrenched political interests bankrupting this city.

Wiener has taken this stance on Prop. B solely to curry favor with the local unions and uniquely privileged city employees challenged by provisions of the proposition. Bill Hemenger is the only District 8 candidate who is not a part of The City’s political stew and could bring a little fiscal sanity and common sense back to the Board.

Geoffrey Murry, San Francisco

Learn to accept aid

The miracle of the mine workers rescue happened because the president of Chile accepted help from any country in the world. Yet in our oil spill disaster, President Barack Obama refused even the help of the Danish government in cleaning up the spill. Maybe that is the difference between a “leader” and a “politician.”